Scott Benson: Fare increase, changes will improve transit in Detroit

Residents of Detroit who have stayed with and in the city during its worst times, deserve service improvements during its rebound. Even through those grueling years, these Detroit loyalists only ever asked for basic city services to be delivered.

Now that that those service improvements have begun, it’s about time to provide a bus system that works for Detroiters.

We believe that time has finally come.

Detroit has battled back from bankruptcy, and we’ve made significant improvements to the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT). Since 2014, we’ve gone from zero to twelve 24-hour bus routes, providing transportation options for those who work the late shift. We’ve increased service to every 15 minutes during peak hours on our 10 most heavily used routes, to ensure residents can be on time. And DDOT is in the midst of a major technology upgrade that will allow us to more accurately track our buses.

And on Monday morning, the Detroit City Council will hear from Detroiters during a public hearing as we discuss a proposed fare rightsizing, which will overhaul DDOT’s current operating and fare structure, making riding our buses more efficient, convenient and cost effective.

Detroit City Councilmember Scott Benson(Photo: Scott Benson)

This plan changes the base fare from $1.50 to $2; however, seniors and disabled riders will not see an increase. Additionally, students and Medicare recipients will actually see a reduction in cost to one standard reduced fare of $0.50, a reduction of 33%.

We’ve heard from hundreds of riders who say they would willingly pay the extra 50 cents if the buses just ran on time. Well, they’ll get much more for that extra 50 cents.

For an additional 50 cents, we will reduce the number of different bus passes from the more than 25 we currently have, to six; add daily and weekly passes which don’t currently exist; and eliminate transfer tickets, allowing riders to transfer freely from bus to bus, and bus system to bus system, at no additional charge for four hours.

►Eliminating transfers and transfer fees, allowing riders to move from one bus to another.

►Switching from “period passes” to a “rolling pass” that only activates after the first use.

►Creating a new partnership between DDOT and SMART to provide regional passes that will be interchangeable without a “top-up fee.”

►Offering swipe cards for faster boarding.

Riders will be able to purchase their passes from the comforts of their homes through the new smartphone app “Mobile Pay,” as well as from more than 42 kiosks that are located in neighborhoods throughout the city.

Scott Benson represents Detroit's 3rd Council District, on the city's northeast side, on Detroit City Council.